Aryna Sabalenka is finally returning to action after an extended post–US Open hiatus, and fans are eager to see the reigning Wuhan Open champion back on court. The Belarusian powerhouse, who has dominated the 2025 season with her exceptional consistency, revealed the real reason behind her decision to step away from competition following her victory at Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka returns to defend Wuhan Open title
Sabalenka is set to headline the penultimate WTA 1000 event of the season in Wuhan, where she is the defending champion. The tournament marks her long-awaited comeback to the tour after a break of more than a month. Having already won the Wuhan title three times, the world No. 2 will aim to lift the trophy for a record fourth consecutive time — a feat that would further cement her legacy as one of the most dominant players in women’s tennis.
Her recent triumph at the US Open, where she claimed her second consecutive title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, capped off a season filled with remarkable performances. However, rather than immediately diving back into the circuit, Aryna Sabalenka chose to prioritize rest and recovery.
Why Aryna Sabalenka chose to step away
Speaking ahead of her Wuhan campaign, Sabalenka shed light on her decision to take a well-deserved break after her Grand Slam win. The four-time major champion explained that the choice was primarily driven by the need to give her body and mind the recovery time they needed after a long, demanding season.
“I feel so good,” Sabalenka said during her pre-tournament press conference. “I just didn’t want to rush my body into another tournament too soon [after the US Open]. I took some extra time to recover and make sure I’m ready.”
Her decision reflects a growing trend among top athletes who are increasingly emphasizing physical and mental balance over relentless scheduling. For Aryna Sabalenka, the time off seems to have worked wonders, and she is now ready to chase yet another title.
Lessons from a stellar season
Sabalenka also reflected on her journey this season, acknowledging the challenges she faced and the lessons learned from earlier setbacks.
“I’m really happy with my season. I’ve learned a lot of tough lessons, especially from the Grand Slam losses earlier this year,” she noted. “But those matches only made me stronger as a player and as a person. Of course, I’d love to change a couple of finals, but looking back, those experiences were needed to make me better.”
As Aryna Sabalenka returns to the court, she carries not only her trademark power and determination but also a renewed sense of balance and focus — the very qualities that could make her unstoppable in the final stretch of the season.